Will Beer Combination Push
Anheuser to Seek Partner Too?

By

Michael Connolly

Updated Oct. 10, 2007 12:01 a.m. ET

The planned U.S. alliance between SABMiller PLC and Molson Coors Brewing Co., creating a much stronger No. 2 player behind market leader Anheuser-Busch Cos., reflects intensifying competition and growing pressure on profits in the U.S. beer industry.

As David Kesmodel and Deborah Ball report, the U.S.'s three largest brewers are grappling with slow growth in their mass-market brands as consumers increasingly reach for small-batch "craft" beers, imported brews, wines and spirits. Analysts have long speculated that...